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Urgent Police Warning Issued to Guests and Disney After Arrest of 28 Annual Passholders
Disney’s annual pass programs offer frequent visitors a range of perks, from merchandise discounts to early access to new offerings. However, passholders are also expected to follow park rules and comply with the resort’s code of conduct.
Violations can carry consequences. Disney has previously revoked passes from guests who break park policies, particularly when misconduct involves merchandise reselling or behavior that disrupts park operations.
In 2018, the Orange County Register reported that Disneyland Resort had revoked passes belonging to guests who purchased large quantities of merchandise and resold it for profit.
Similar disputes have surfaced more recently. Earlier this year, a Magic Key holder had their pass revoked after being accused of reselling merchandise, though the pass was later reinstated after the claim proved inaccurate.
More recently, park security overseas noticed a pattern involving several annual passholders.
28 Disney Passholders Arrested After Investigation
According to Daily Economic News, a gang of 28 passholders was recently arrested.
The investigation began after security at Shanghai Disneyland noticed a concerning trend involving guests leaving merchandise locations.
Several individuals were stopped after exiting gift shops with items they had not paid for. Each of the guests reportedly claimed they had “forgotten” to pay for the merchandise.
In early March, Shanghai Disneyland’s security manager reported the situation to the Pudong Public Security Bureau’s International Tourism and Resort Area Management Branch.
Authorities later determined that all of the individuals involved held a Shanghai Disneyland Annual Pass.
Police reviewed CCTV footage throughout the park and identified members of three separate groups believed to be involved in the activity.
On March 12, authorities arrested 28 individuals connected to the case.
Investigators later determined that the suspects had allegedly been stealing popular plush dolls from merchandise locations inside the park.
The items targeted were limited-edition plush toys with an official retail price of around 300 yuan, or roughly $44.
Merchandise demand is overwhelmingly high at Shanghai Disneyland, with guests waiting more than 10 hours in the past for new drops.
After taking the items, the suspects allegedly resold them to tourists nearby for about 30 yuan — around $4 — significantly below the retail price.
Police say the three groups were connected to more than 100,000 yuan, or roughly $14,500, in illegal proceeds.
Local authorities have since advised the park to strengthen internal security procedures.
Suggestions reportedly include increasing patrols and improving merchandise management within retail locations.
Officials have also encouraged guests to report suspicious activity, including individuals offering unusually low-priced Disney merchandise near the park.
Theft Incidents Occasionally Occur at Disney Destinations
Thefts and other criminal incidents are uncommon at Disney parks but do occur from time to time.
Earlier this week, a 27-year-old Florida resident was arrested after allegedly stealing 50 Disney Trading Pins valued at around $900 from a store at Disney Springs.
Another unusual case occurred at Disney Springs in September.
According to reports, a burglar wearing a scuba suit swam across the water to reach Paddlefish, a floating restaurant designed to resemble a classic riverboat.
The suspect allegedly entered the restaurant’s manager’s office while employees were counting cash for the night.
He then forced the two employees into a corner, instructed them to close their eyes, and tied them up before leaving with between $10,000 and $20,000 in cash.
Police were also called to Magic Kingdom in December for a suspected case of grand theft.
That same week, authorities also responded to a similar report at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Although such incidents remain relatively rare, Disney parks regularly coordinate with local law enforcement when criminal activity is suspected.
No surprise at Shanghai. When we were there, people were constantly hawking “fast passes” for sale.
It’s not worth it to steal but Disney is good at nickle and diming its guests to death. The Lightening Lane is unfair; the first-come Fast Pass (free) was by far more fair. Disney Parks daily rip off guests by not having all attractions up and running at park opening. To save $$ on paying employees, several major rides everyday (randomly selected by Disney) will not open until park is fuller, around 10:00 – 11:00 am. That is a sneaky way of Disney “stealing” from its guests. ALL rides shiuld be operating at park opening, especially since so many travel long distances, have only one day to experjence ALL attractions, as lines are always way too long. It is a rip off and unfair.
We used to visit Disney World when our kids were living with us. Even a couple trips after they were essentially grownups. Disney for us has lost its attraction mostly because of its ridiculous costs and the very long lines and expensive lightning lines etc. why would we want to annoy ourselves with all that! Just not worth it! There’s too many people per day let into the theme parks and it’s souring the experience. Just not what it used to be like!